Context:

Suffolk County in New York has approved a new law that makes it a crime for convicted animal abusers to own pets, strengthening existing animal cruelty legislation. The county legislature established a Class A misdemeanor with penalties including up to a year in jail or a $1,000 fine for violators on the animal abuse registry. This move closes a previous loophole where animal abusers could own pets without facing consequences, enhancing the 2010 law that created the registry. County Executive Ed Romaine emphasized the importance of protecting animals, while Suffolk Legislator Stephanie Bontempi, who sponsored the legislation, expressed satisfaction at closing the loophole. Roy Gross from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals praised the law for empowering authorities to take action against repeat offenders for the first time.

Dive Deeper:

• Suffolk County has enacted a law making it a Class A misdemeanor for convicted animal abusers on the county's registry to own pets, with consequences including up to a year in jail or a fine of $1,000.

• The new law builds upon a 2010 legislation that established an animal abuse registry, one of the first of its kind in the United States, which requires abusers to register their names and contact information.

• County Executive Ed Romaine signed the legislation, asserting the county's commitment to prosecuting and protecting animals from abuse.

• Prior to this law, while convicted abusers were prohibited from owning pets, there were no penalties for those who violated this rule, creating a loophole that allowed them to escape consequences.

• Suffolk Legislator Stephanie Bontempi, who sponsored the bill, highlighted its importance in ensuring offenders who disregard animal protection laws are held accountable.

• The legislation comes in the wake of a gruesome discovery of dead cats in a Long Island home, emphasizing the need for stricter animal protection laws.

• Roy Gross, chief of Suffolk County's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, welcomed the new law, stating it provides long-needed authority to take action against repeat offenders, which was previously not possible.